A Spirited Exchange: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jackson Jessica L

Author:Jackson, Jessica L.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bru E-books
Published: 2024-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fiftee

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After they broke their fast the next morning, Lizzy and her sisters entered the great hall together. The unrelenting rain continued to dash against the windows. Occasional flashes of lightening brightened the gloomy sky, and thunder rolled in mumbling waves. The living earl and countess waited in front of the blazing baronial fireplace. She carried a sheaf of papers in her hand.

Smiling at the Bennet sisters, she said to all her guests, “Now everyone is here. Shuffle around until you are in your teams. Mr. Darcy with Miss Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley with Miss Bennet. Percy with Miss Mary. And Squire Sprott with Miss Bingley. Percy, please hand these around to our guests.”

Lizzy joined the others in obediently moving to stand with their partners. The viscount accepted the papers and handed a copy to each couple, keeping one for himself and Mary. Lizzy cast a swift gaze over the list in her hand.

Oh, dear. This looks more complicated than I thought it would be.

“Here are our treasure hunt rules,” the earl said, grinning with bon ami. “You may not form larger teams or share information with another team.” He gestured to the nearby table where a bundle of pencils waited. “You will write down on the treasure hunt list where you have found the items. Do not remove any item from where you find it. The name of each room is found on a plaque attached either to its door, or to the wall next to it. For example, you might write down that you found the Louis XIII desk in the yellow drawing room, in front of the window.

“No bedchambers in current use will have a treasure in it,” he promised them. “Refreshments will be kept on hallway tables at intervals throughout the castle, if you should have need of them. A footman or maid will be with the refreshments but on no account are you to ask them for directions unless you have finished and cannot find your way back to the great hall. We have tested the hunt and we predict it will take you at least two hours.” He glanced up at the clock opposite the fireplace and said, “It is eleven o’clock now. We will signal the end of the hunt by ringing the dinner gong at two. Kindly gather in the Tudor lounge when you finish.”

Possibly three hours alone with Mr. Darcy, Lizzy thought, mentally waving a hand across her face to cool it.

The countess spoke. “You will be entering parts of the castle we do not regularly heat, so we have had your maids and valets bring down your gloves and shawls.” She gracefully indicated where their servants stood at the bottom of the stairs. “Also, servants will be wandering the halls, acting as chaperones. There will be no forced engagements because of one of our parties,” she warned gravely, looking around the room and meeting every gentleman’s gaze. In a sunnier voice, Lady St. Edmund gave her last recommendation. “Good luck, and be kind to your companions.

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